Book Vault

Martha Wolf from the Ivy Bake Shoppe in Ft. Madison, IA, returns to serve us a wonderful Autumn Pumpkin Tureen and scrumtious Swedish Tea CAkes that make great Christmas gifts. In case you missed it, Martha was featured in last month's issue of Midwest Living magazine. We will have copies of her very ... (more)popular Ivy Bake Shoppe Cookbook. You don't want to miss her samples!! Tickets are $5. (Note: This event sold out last time so reserve your spot early!)

Bring your lunch and join in our discussion of Astrid and Veronika by Linda Olsson, a book so good that one bookstore has offered a money-back guarantee!

The widely-acclaimed book that spans all ages, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, will be the center of our discussion.
A story of a foster girl living outside of Munich during WWII is moving and imaginative. Please join us!

The third floor of Book Vault will become a giant picnic place.Bring your lunches and blankets to hear Judy Ide share her book Pickle Jars, Milk Jugs and the Daily news, a wonderful story about how easy it is for all of us to make the world a better, greener place.

The culinary art of raw cooking will be demonstrated by Des Moines chef Sheree Clark. Sheree's cooking demonstrations at our fellow-indie bookstore, East Village Books, are continually sold out. The cookbook Everday Raw by Matthew Kenney will be featured.
Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased or ... (more)held by stopping by or calling Book Vault.

The group will be discussing Whistling in the Dark by Lesley Kagan. This debut novel tells a riveting story of two young sisters who are put in danger's way by a murderer on the loose in their Milwaukee neighborhood.It's a page-turner!

Discussion will center on Elizabeth Berg's latest paperback, Dream When You're Feeling Blue. This story of homefront Chicago during World War II is by turns joyful and melancholy, but always engaging. If you enjoyed Ms.Berg's May visit to Book Vault, bring your lunch and join our discussion.

The Cookbook Club will be cooking from Sam the Cooking Guy: Just a Bunch of Recipes by Sam Zien. Sam the Cooking Guy can be seen on the Discovery Health Channel. Check out his recipe for Mac 'n Cheese using blue cheese. Yum!

Calling all teenage girls! Jennifer Banash has written a new book, The Elite, about a Midwestern girl who ends up living in upscale Manhattan and attending a posh private school. How will she make it into the "elite" group?, Come dressed as either the Midwestern girl or the New York preppie and ... (more)enjoy food and fun.

Cooking with Books is excited to present guest chef John Olson who will demonstrate the technique of preparing and serving sushi. Even if (or especially if) you've never tried it before, come and enjoy. Did you know that sushi doesn't automatically mean raw fish? The cookbook, New Sushi, From Rainbow ... (more)Rolls to Seared Swordfish Sashimi by Emi Kazuko will be featured. Tickets are $5, and as usual, ample samples will be enjoyed by all!

Meet fellow Midwesterner and author John Price as he reads from and discusses his book, Man Killed by Pheasant and Other Kinships.
John Price is an associate professor of English at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He holds a PhD in English and an MFA in Nonfiction Writing from the University of ... (more)Iowa.

This month the discussion will turn to the book Finn by Jon Clinch. This book centers around "Pap", Huck Finn's dangerous bigoted drunk of a father, who is involved in a mysterious murder on the Mississippi. Guests are always welcome so please join us!

Bill Jepsen, Boone, Iowa resident, will provide lively conversation about his book, Made in Iowa: Iowa's Automobiles, An Entertaining and Enlightening History. He will discuss the automotive ventures of Iowa during 1900- 1915. Bill's book is a fine presentation of this period in Iowa history, filled ... (more)with pictures and little-known facts that will delight all autmobile buffs.

Mudbound by Hillary Jordan will be discussed. This compelling novel is set in the south during the post World War II period. In her "Staff Picks" section of this website, Nancy states that she read the first chapter of the book and couldn't put it down. Please join our discussion.

Young adults are eagerly awaiting the release of Stephanie Meyer's new vampire love saga,Breaking Dawn, #4 in the Twiling Series.We'll stay open late Friday night to mark the occassion. Call us at 676-1777 or stop by to sign up!

Pete Eyheralde from the Mahaska County Conservation Commission will bring his bag of nature tricks and treats for an informative session discovering how to identify wildlife from what they "leave beind"!
There will be a chance to practice casting of tracks. For ages 6-99!
It's all free, but space is ... (more)limited. Please call for reservations.

Join guest chef Kat Snellman as she sows us how to prepare homemade baby food. It's not only more nutritious but money-saving as well. Fetured will be Jane and Nancy's 30-year old favorite baby food cookbook (now revised!), Feed Me, I'm Yours by Vicky Lansky. Tickets are $5 each.

You asked for it and here it is! Come to a party dressed as fancy as you want and see if you can outdo the much-loved Fancy Nancy. There will be party food, games, contests, parades, and prizes. And, you'll get to see the BV staff all dressed up, too! Limit 35. Call to reserve a spot!

The ALL IOWA READS selection for 2008 is Digging to America by award-winning author, Anne Tyler. Bring your lunch and join the discussion led by Diane Crookham-Johnson and Sharon Shaulis.

The group will be discussing The Invisible Wall: A Love Story that Broke Barriers by Harry Bernstein. A wonderfully charming memoir written when the author was ninety-three. The Invisible Wall vibrantly brings to life an all-but-forgotten time and place. It is a moving tale of working-class life, and ... (more)of the boundaries that cen abe overcome by love.

The book club will be discussing Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. Long on bestseller lists everywhere, this wonderful book is a favorite of many. Join the discussion and learn how Rosie, the elephant, won the hearts of millions.

Safe or sexy? OK - that's a bit of a simplification of the novel, but haven't we always wondered about that decision we didn't make. How would our lives be different? Would it be better or worse? Lionel Shriver has laid out both scenarios and has come up with a fantastic read. As always, ... (more)the group is open to all comers.

The book discussed will be The Pirate's Daughter by Margaret Cezair-Thompson, last year's "sleeper." This story of Errol Flynn's fictitious daughter, born in Jamaica, fascinated readers across the country and ultimately won several awards. Its'a wonderful blending of fact and fiction.

Don't miss this opportunity to hear one of Elizabeth Berg's favorite writers! Ethan will be talking abaout his latest novel, America, America. Details about this event can be found on page 11 of the BV newsletter (see sidebar at left for link to newsletter.)Advance tickets required for the gourmet box ... (more)lunch.

Book Vault welcomes the author of Whistling in the Dark, chosen by our book clubs as one of their favorite books of all! Lesley will be sharing thoughts and readings from her new book, Land of 100 Wonders. A book signing and reception will follow.

The discussion will be lively as Lesley Kagen's Land of 100 Wonders is discussed. Kagen's visit to Book Vault on September 18 will bring added insight to our thoughts. Bring your lunch and join us!

Join the discussion with Book Vault's newest book club. The first book chosen and discussed will be Thomas Defrank's bestseller, Write it When I'm Gone:Remarkable Off-The-Record Conversations with Gerald R. Ford. A remarkable and unprecedented book, our discussion is sure to be a lively one!

Grab a friend and come to learn how to decorate a beautiful cake. We will have two classes limited to 10 in each class. Cost is $12 per person and includes a cake, frosting, and your own decorating kit. Taught by Tabatha Lennie of "Tabby's Tasties," this class is by reservation only. Our featured book ... (more)will be Cake Decorating Step by Step by Angela Nilsen.

The club will enjoy a meal prepared from recipes found in Lynne Rossetto Kasper and Sally Swift's book, The Splendid Table's How to Eat Supper.

Join Diesel Bookstore for a green event with Van Jones, author of Green Collar Economy!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Van Jones is the founder and president of Green For All, based in Oakland. The mission is to help build an inclusive, green economy - strong enough to lift millions of people out of poverty. Van ... (more)is a tireless advocate, championing "green-collar jobs and opportunities" for disadvantaged people. He is committed to creating "green pathways out of poverty," while greatly expanding the coalition fighting global warming.

He's worked to combine solutions to America's two biggest problems: social inequality and environmental destruction. Under the slogan "green-collar jobs, not jails," he is calling for green economic development in urban America.

As an advocate for the toughest urban constituencies and causes, he has won many honors, which include the 1998 Reebok International Human Rights Award, the international Ashoka Fellowship, selection as a World Economic Forum "Young Global Leader," and the Rockefeller Foundation "Next Generation Leadership" Fellowship.

He's also served on the boards of numerous national environmental organizations. Presently, he is a board member of the National Apollo Alliance, which advocates for clean energy jobs. He is also a founding board member of 1Sky, a national coalition working to avert catastrophic climate change.

In 2007, Van helped the City of Oakland pass a "Green Jobs Corps" proposal; the City allocated funds to train Oakland residents in eco-friendly "green-collar jobs."

At the national level, Van worked successfully in 2007 with U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), U.S. Rep. Hilda Solis (D-CA), U.S. Rep. John Tierney (D-MASS) to pass the Green Jobs Act of 2007. That path-breaking, historic legislation authorized $125 million in funding to train 35,000 people a year in "green-collar jobs." Van is also a co-founder of a new national coalition that promotes the idea of a national "Clean Energy Jobs Corps." This multi-billion-dollar federal initiative would put hundreds of thousands of people to work rewiring and retrofitting the energy infrastructure of the United States.

In 2005, Van produced the "Social Equity Track" for the United Nations' World Environment Day celebration. UNWED 2005 drew dozens of mayors from around the world to San Francisco, where they developed policies promoting the concept of "Green Cities."

In 1996, Van co-founded (with Diana Frappier) the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, now located in Oakland, California. Named for an unsung civil rights heroine, the award-winning Center promotes alternatives to violence and incarceration. The Center, for which Van serves as board president, incubated Green For All in 2007 and spun it off in 2008.

His many media appearances includes the popular Peabody award-winning show, The Colbert Report.

Join Clare Langley-Hawthorne at Diesel Bookstore as she presents the second book in her fantastic new historical mystery series! Featuring the strong, outspoken, intelligent and sassy Ursula Marlow, THE SERPENT AND THE SCORPION is a thrilling story of scandal and betrayal that's richly detailed and ... (more)action-packed.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Clare Langley-Hawthorne was raised in England and Australia. She practiced law in Melbourne until 1995 when she emigrated moved to the United States and began work as a health economist. Clare has since put her pursuit of a PhD on hold to focus on her career as a writer. She lives in the San Francisco bay area with her husband and twin sons. This is her second novel.

For more information, visit her web site at www.clarelangleyhawthorne.com

Join the lively discussion of Forgive Me by Amanda Eyre Ward. The book is described as "a page-turner with deep moral underpinnings."

The Love Dare by Stephen Kendrick and Alex Kendrick. Unconditional love is eagerly promised at weddings, but rarely practiced in real life. As a result, romantic hopes are often replaced with disappointment in the home. But it doesn't have to stay that way. "The Love Dare," as featured in the popular ... (more)new movie Fireproof (from the makers of Facing the Giants), is a 40-day challenge for husbands and wives to understand and practice unconditional love. Whether your marriage is hanging by a thread or healthy and strong, "The Love Dare" is a journey you need to take. It's time to learn the keys to finding true intimacy and developing a dynamic marriage. Take the dare

Last year's "sleeper" hit, The Pirate's Daughter by Margaret Cezair-Thompson will be discussed. Described as a book for those looking to be "swept away," an interesting discussion should ensue. Bring your lunch, or not, and join us!

Book Vault's newest book club will meet to discuss The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl by Timothy Egan.
This compelling tale of environmental and human tragedy long remains in readers' minds. This will be our last meeting of 2008. Books and leaders ... (more)for February and March will be chosen.

Join us for a discussion of Forgive Me by Amanda Eyre Ward. This novel is described by Bookmarks Magazine as "a page-turner with deep moral underpinnings." Join the lively discussion that will surely follow.

We will meet a week earlier than ususal because of the Thanksgiving holiday. Join us for a conversation about They Did It With Love by Kate Morgenroth. Agatha Christie meets The Desparate Housewives in this book, so be prepared for a fun discussion! This will also be this group's last meeting of 2008.

Yes, it's true...
The Grinch will be at Book Vault to meet you!
Stop in from 3:30-5:00PM today!

The Grinch will be at Book Vault to meet you before the Lighted Christmas Parade!
Come and meet him today between from 5:00 -6:00 PM! Then watch for The Grinch in Oskaloosa's annual Lighted Christmas Parade. Wave and holler...show him that Christmas is a wonderful time of year!!

The Grinch will be at Book Vault to meet you before the Lighted Christmas Parade!
Come and meet him today between from 5:00 -6:00 PM! Then watch for The Grinch in Oskaloosa's annual Lighted Christmas Parade. Wave and holler...show him that Christmas is a wonderful time of year!!

DIESEL, A Bookstore-BRENTWOOD is pleased to welcome the illustrious Robert Wagner to the store as he signs his new biography, Pieces of My Heart.

This is the perfect gift for the holidays, so don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to meet a Hollywood heartthrob & screen legend!

The discussion of The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch and Jeffrey Zaslow will be led by Paige Gillespie;
New members are always welcome!

Children ages 5 to 10 are invited to attend this fun program in honor of the performance of The Little Mermaid at the Daily Auditorium this evening. A pair of tickets to the play will be given away as a door prize! Join in the fun and attend both events.

This month Farley's Book Club will be reading John Fowles's The Magus.
We will be meeting one week later than usual. As usual, please meet in the back room of Farley's for stimulating discussion and light refreshments!

Discussion will center on Matrimony by Joshua Henkin. It is suggested that all members read the complete book before attending as there's no way to avoid discussing the ending!

Join us this Saturday morning as Book Vault's own exercise guru Jamillee McQuivey teaches us how to cook...slowly. She will be preparing Black Bean soup and Chicken Stroganoff in a slow cooker. the featured book (and door prize!)will be Not Your Moher's Slow Cooker cookbook by Beth Hernsperger and Julie ... (more)Kaufmann. don't miss out on these samples!

Blind Faith is the story of the Roman Catholic clergy sexual abuse crisis as seen through the eyes of young Jack O'Donnell and his family in the late '60s and early '70s. The story tells of the pain, heartache, and challenge to their faith that they endured because of one priest's abuse and the systematic ... (more)cover-up engaged in by church hierachy. Anyone interested in making certain nothing like this ever happens again should attend this program. Reception and book signing to follow.

This month the club will be discussing The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman. Join us in the discussion of the true story of Warsaw zookeepers and resistance activists jan and Antonina Zabinski, who saved the lives of hundreds of Jewish people in WWII.

Join us on this Saturday morning as Book Vault's own exercise guru Jamillee McQuivey teaches us how to cook...slowly. She will be preparing Black Bean soup and Beef Straganoff in a slow cooker. the featured book (and door prize!)will be Not Your Moher's Slow Cooker cookbook by Beth Hernsperger and Julie ... (more)Kaufmann. don't miss out on these samples!

Join us for a discussion of Irreplaceable with author Stephen Lovely during our special event with the author. The public is invited to both the peresentation and discussion.

The club will be discussing Irreplaceable by Stephen Lovely, the author appearing at Book Vault on Tuesday, February 17. Please join us for a pleasant and stimulating noon hour.

Pamela Carter Joern will present her book The Plain Sense of Things. In a series of inter-related stories, Joern creates a family saga full of memorable characters struggling to survive in rural Nebraska. A book signing and reception will follow.

Plan to spend this Sunday afternoon with us and Stephanie Kallos as she reads and discusses her second novel, Sing Them Home. This book tells the story of the Jones siblings, who have lived in the shadow of unresoved grief since their mother's disappearance in a Nebraska tornado. The book has been described ... (more)as a "brilliant novel" by First Look Books. A book signing and reception will follow. Look for a real treat here! Do not miss this one!

The club will be discussing Sing Them Home by Stephanie Kallos, the author appearing at the Boiok VAult on March 1. Newcomers and guests are always welcome to join this fun group!

Join us for a discussion of In the Woods by Tana French, a novel of psychological suspense. Winner of the Edgar Award for Best First Novel by an American author, a club member described it as "a real page-turner." Bring your lunch and join us!

Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan, will be discussed by the group. Let's hope that none of us bring Chicken McNuggets in our lunch!!
Whatever you're planning to eat, please join us in a lively discussion.

Introducing a new talent in our area, Book Vault is proud to present the debut demonstration of Elizabeth Edwards, a cooking instructor and personal chef. The cookbook being used is Allergy Self-Help Cookbook. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED for this event. Tickets are $5.

Book Vault Cookbook Club will dine on a meal made from recipes in their current cookbook selection, Robin to the Rescue: Quick and Simple Recipes for Delicious Home Cooking by Robin Miller. Call Book Vault @ 676-1777 for details.

Diesel, A Bookstore in Brentwood is pleased to welcome Kathy Ireland to the store to discuss and sign her new book Real Solutions for Busy Moms: Your Guide to Success and Sanity. This event is free and everyone is encouraged to attend!About the Book:Kathy Ireland communicates with moms every day: online, ... (more)at the grocery store, at church, at speaking engagements, and on her company website. She is grateful that her conversations don't center around beauty tips or requests for autographs or advice on how to dress. Rather, she has the honor of hearing from real women who struggle with balancing the responsibilities of marriage, raising children, managing a household or career or both, and finding any time left to take care of themselves.As the involved mom of three very active children, the supportive wife of an emergency room doctor, and a dynamic businesswoman, Kathy knows of these struggles firsthand. She credits her strong faith in God and her parents' love and support for any success she has today and dedicates her days to finding the solutions that can make life easier for busy moms in all phases of life. As she tackles the tough financial concerns families feel today and many other issues, Kathy offers empathy and encouragement. She shares stories from her own life and wisdom she has gained through her years from teenager with a paper route to successful supermodel to mom to entrepreneur with a dream for big business.About the Author:
Supermodel turned supermom and entrepreneur, Kathy Ireland lives in Santa Barbara where she is a supportive wife to her doctor husband, and mother of three children.

Jeff Wells, D.V.M.,Iowa native and author of All My Patients Have Tales: Favorite Stories From a Vet's Practice, will debut his new book right here at Book Vault! Jeff grew up in Fairfield, graduated from ISU, and is now a practicing veterinarian in Denver, CO. Join us as he shares stories that will ... (more)make you smile. Jeff's style and stories remind many of the legendary James Herriot. Join us for a wonderful evening!

Introducing a new talent in our area, Book Vault is proud to present the debut demonstration of Elizabeth Edwards, a cooking instructor and personal chef. The cookbook being used is Allergy Self-Help Cookbook. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED for this event. Tickets are $5.

The book club's selection for this month is The Reader (the book, not the movie!)by Bernhard Schlink. This story is a brief tale about sex, love, reading, and shame in postwar Germany.

Diesel, A Bookstore in Oakland is pleased to present local author, Marin resident and 2007 banjo champ John Pedersen, as he discusses and signs his first novel, Scroll and Curl. This event is free and all are welcome and encouraged to attend!About the Book:
When the old time string band "Sweet Evening ... (more)Breeze" leaves Saratoga Springs, New
York on their two week tour of the east coast, fiddler Dan Munroe thinks that his only
headache will be controlling his band-mates tendencies for excess. That is until he
buys a unique fiddle at a sidewalk sale in New York and hears the story of the previous
owner’s entanglement with the underworld of the 1930's. After he gets the special fiddle
appraised by a reclusive dealer in Pennsylvania, dangerous and mysterious forces suddenly curl
and swirl through his life.About the Author:
As the grandson of a noted Heldeberg Mountain fiddler and a master luthier, John Pedersen portrays the touring string band life based on
hard-won first-hand knowledge about the shifting nature of relationships and the
dynamics of people on the road whose main connection to each other is the music.
Also, running a retail music store, doing repairs and buying and selling rare instruments
have given him insight into the eclectic and occasionally bizarre world of instrument
buyers and collectors and their motivations. The patrons of the store, run by John and his
wife, range from limos full of rock stars to the lowliest of street people and everyone in
between. As a musician John has won many fiddle contests, playing in the “old time”
style, as well as the California State Old Time Banjo championships in 2007.

Grab your lunch and join us for discussion of this month's selection, People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. Described as "A complex love story, thrilling mystery, vivid history lesson, and celebration of the enduring power of ideas.

Book Group #1 meets to discuss Yashar Kemal's Memed, My Hawk. This event is free and all are welcom and encouraged to attend!

Book Vault Cookbook Club will dine on a meal made from recipes in their new cookbook selection More Fast Food My Way by Jacques Pepin. Only Jacques could have come up with dishes so innovative and uncomplicated. Call Book Vautl, 676-1777 to join this fun cooking/eating group.

The group's choice this month is Manhunt: The Twelve-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson. For 12 days after his brazen assassination of Abraham Lincoln, John Wilkes Booth was at large, and in Manhunt, historian Swanson tells the vivid, fully documented tale of his escape and the wild, ... (more)massive pursuit.

The group's choice this month is Manhunt: The Twelve-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson. For 12 days after his brazen assassination of Abraham Lincoln, John Wilkes Booth was at large, and in Manhunt, historian Swanson tells the vivid, fully documented tale of his escape and the wild, ... (more)massive pursuit.

The book club (meeting an hour early this evening so we can enjoy the author event later) will discuss one of Nancy's favorites, Mudbound by Hillary Jordan.

One of our favorite Wisconsin authors will be favoring us with a visit. Both Jane and Nancy have met Jerry, and he is a treat to visit with! He will talk about several of his books: Every Farm Tells a Story: A Tale of Family Farm Values, Living a Country Year: Wit and Wisdom from the Good Old Days, Old ... (more)Farm: A History and his novel, In a Pickle. Anyone who lives on a farm, has ever lived on a farm, or wants someday to live outside of the city limits should treat themselves to this evening. A book signing and reception will follow.

The Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Breeland is this month's selection. There are 35 known Vermeer paintings. In this book, Vreeland poses the possibility of a 36th. The book is about that painting, and how it came to be in the hands of a young boy when WWII had ended.

Elizabeth Berg is returning to Book Vault to talk about her newest book, Home Safe.
Berg, bestelling author of The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted and The Year of Pleasure, returns with a wonderful novel about a woman, a daughter, and a surprising change in life. Reservations for the luncheon must be made ... (more)by 12 Noon on Monday, June 1. Free admission will be granted at approximately 12:30PM for those not attending the luncheon.

Calling all dog-lovers!
The club will be discussing Merle's Door: Lesson from a Freethinking Dog by Ted Kerasote. As many pets do, Merle "found" Ted and became an unforgettable companions. More than just a pet story, Kerasote explores the science behind canine bahavior. Merle is a true character, yet ... (more)Merle is also Everyodg. Join us... and bring a picture of your dog!

Helping to give a big kick-off to the Skunk River Art Festival (June 11-13, City Square), Book Vault is proud to share the talents of Iowas's poet Laureate, Mary Swander. Her bestselling book of poetry, Driving the Body Back, is set during the homesteading times in Iowa: her new book, Girls on the Roof, ... (more)tells of two women floating down the flooded Mississippi River on top of a house. Join us for this treat before the Oskaloosa City Band concert!

Book Vault presents a VERY special entry into the Skunk River Art Festival line-up under the Culinary Arts cagegory. Cooking With Books introduces local barbecue smoking expert, Bill Benson. Bill will smoke everyting from olives to tea! Your mouth will water from the delicious aromas, so buy a ticket ... (more)for $5 and join us for lots of fantastic BBQ!

Join this lively group as they discuss an amzing book, Mudbound by Hillary Jordan. This is a most compelling read adn the discussion will be the same. This is one of Nancy's favorites from last year...check out her review under Staff Picks on our website: www.bookvault.org

We found an expert in our own backyard: Richard Mattix from Bussey, Iowa! Richard is an expert in all things related to America's public enemies and he co-authored the book, The Complete Public Enemy Almanac: New Facts and Features ofn the Peopl, Places, and Events of the Gangsters and Outlaw Era, 1920-1940.
You ... (more)will be truly amazed...and you'll be ready for the release next month of the movie, Public Enemies, starring Johnny Depp.

A book highly recommended by one of our newer members, Girl In Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland is on the agenda. This book consists of eight interrelated stories tracing the history of a fictional 36th Vermeer painting, "Girl in Hyacinth Blue."
Join us for a fascinating discussion.

This club shows its wide range of interests by moving from public enemies, to pets, to Presidential wives! Join eht discussion of Ladies of Liberty by Cokie Roberts.

Sometimes it's just too hot to be cooking at all! Wouldn't a cool beverage under teh shade tree with your favorite book be so much better? Join resident cef Ruthi Rogers as she shares some great drink ideas from many sources: the featured book,from Book Vault gourmet mixes, and from her own kitchen. ... (more)Tickets are $5. Bring ID if you look young!

Bring your knitting project and join hostess Patty Poisson for an informal evening of chatting, knitting and tea. Exquisite tea is generously provided by Danielle Beaudette of The Cozy Tea Cart in Brookline. (www.thecozyteacart.com). Please note that the group is open to all experienced knitters. They ... (more)meet on the 2nd Monday each month.

Lucille Lang Day's new book of poems is The Curvature of Blue; Alicia Ostriker enthuses about it, "Intelligence enjoying itself, awareness at play, attentiveness dancing through life's minefields smiling at itself in its new black car. . . a wonderful book and I feel lucky to have read it." Lucille Day ... (more)has published four previous books of poetry, including Infinities, Wild One, and Self-Portrait with a Hand Microscope, her first, for which she won the Joseph Henry Jackson Award. She is the founder and director of Scarlet Tanager Books, a literary press in the Bay Area. Roz Spafford's new book of poems is Requiem, winner of the 2008 Gell Poetry Prize, with a foreword by Carl Dennis: "All the poems in Requiem may be read as attempts to confront the presence of death in our lives. . . What is remarkable about this steady focus, which offers no easy consolations, is that it leads to a book that is more challenging than it is querulous or elegiac. . . a book that confronts our limitations in a way that makes us feel larger rather than diminished." Spafford has been a writer, teacher, and activist for the last three decades. She wrote book reviews and a newspaper column of media and cultural criticism called 'Mediations' for much of that time. Her poetry and fiction have been widely published in literary magazines.

Harry Truman's Excellent Adventure:The True Story of a Great American Road Trip by Matthew Algeo is the heart-warming story of Bess and Harry's "roadtrip" from Missouri to New York via Washington,D.C., a few months after he left office. This trip was done completely without the security of the secret ... (more)service and portrays the innocence of the '50s. The discussion will be lively and filled with memories. Join us!

This is a group for writers of all styles and levels. Hosted by Eric and Tammy, they'll lead you from idea to author signing! Call Tammy here for more information. They meet every Friday evening!

This is a group for writers of all styles and levels. Hosted by Eric and Tammy, they'll lead you from idea to author signing! Call Tammy here for more information. They meet every Friday evening!

The group will be discussing What Happened to Anna K by Irina Reyn, a fresh rendition of Tolstoy's Anna Karenina. Come to join the discussion as we delve into the differences and similarities between the two Annas.

This is a group for writers of all styles and levels. Hosted by Eric and Tammy, they'll lead you from idea to author signing! Call Tammy here for more information. They meet every Friday evening!

Calling all foodies! We're starting a new year and looking for new member who love to cook--and eat! Straight from her TV debut, Ruthi Rogers will lead this group through a year of culinary delights, discovering new recipes, making new friends. Our first cookbook is More Fast Food My Way by Jacques Pepin. ... (more)Please join us!

Calling all foodies! We're starting a new year and looking for new member who love to cook--and eat! Straight from her TV debut, Ruthi Rogers will lead this group through a year of culinary delights, discovering new recipes, making new friends. Our first cookbook is More Fast Food My Way by Jacques Pepin. ... (more)Please join us!

Wait Till Next Year: A memoir by Doris Kearns Goodwin (author of Team of Rivals) is the focus of this month's discussion. The subject is obvious from the first line: "When I was six, my father gave me a bright-red scorebook that opened my heart to the game of baseball..." This is a wonderful story of ... (more)a father and daughter's relationship and their love for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Join us, baseball fans and history buffs!

Healthy Cooking with Doug Mills.
Our guest chef for the day is Doug Mills, Executive Director of the South Central Iowa Youth for Christ. He will be cooking a Whole Wheat Pasta dish and Pear and Walnut Spinach Salad from the cookbook, 8 Weeks to Optimum Health: A Proven Program for Taking Full Advantage ... (more)of Your Body's Natural Healing Power by Andrew Weil. Come prepared to learn...and eat! Tickets: $5/person.

For Children: 4PM- Children of all ages are invited to hear Meggan Hill read from her wonderful book, Nico and Lola, the story of kindness as seen through a young boy and his little black pug named Lola. There's a special treat: Lola, the loving dog in the book, will be her IN PERSON! (Or should we say, ... (more)"in dog?!") Space is limited so call us at 641-676-1777 to reserve a spot. There are very few chairs, most seating will be on the floor.

Meggan Hill author event For Writers: 7 PM
Meggan Hill will discuss the process of writing and publishing children's books. All prospective writers/authors should attend to pick up handy hints and techniques.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows is one of the most talked-about books of the year. Set on the isle of Guernsey off the coast of Normandy, France duringg WWII, the story is a heart-warming tale of courage. The book is filled with small acts of heroism ... (more)and caring.

Join us for a delightful evening of adventure as Dennis Weidemann regales us with tales of four young Iowa men who set out in 1979 to paddle 1, 4000 miles north to Hudson Bay. Why? Why not?! This Water Goes North is a story of American youth, adventure, and living the things our grandchildren ... (more)will hear about for years! Don't miss this!

Each year the Iowa Center for the Book selects an All Iowa Reads book, encouraging every Iowan to read and discuss the same book. This year the book is Rope Walk by Sioux City resident Carrie Brown. The Lunch Bunch will be discussing this very intriguing book of diversity and acceptance. Please join ... (more)us.

Fresh from and appearance at the Midwest Bookseller's Conference, Book Vault is honored to welcome David Rhodes to our store. The Chicago Tribune describes Rhode's book Driftless, as the "best work of fiction to come out of the Midwest in many years." David Rhodes wows us with a fast-moving story of ... (more)small town life.

Join us in the Book Vault Kitchen as Book Vault's Terri Nielsen joins Ruthi to show you how to enjoy the bounties of your garden. They'll be preparing Roasted Beet & Arugula Salad with Candied Walnuts& Feta Cheese and Nebraska Cornbread Cheese Scones. Our featured book with be Food to Live By: Ther Earthbound ... (more)Farm Organic Cookbook by Myra Goodman, Linda Holland, and Pamela McKinstry. Tickets are $5. Samples will be served.

Mark Grey will share his thought-provoking book, Postville, USA: Surviving Diversity in Small-Town America.
An in-depth look at the aftermath of the massive raid of the Kosher packing plant by the U.S. Immigration Department. What really went wrong? Join us for wine, tea, and snacks as we discuss ... (more)this issue.

(The meeting date has changed due to the Mark Grey event on our regular meeting day.)
We'll discuss American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld. With this book, most people agree, the author creates a realistic and highly sympathtetic portrayal of the former First Lady, Laura Bush. Will the club agree?

Wine 101 is an introduction to the basic and most important building blocks of wine education and knowledge. Steve Richardson, Vineyard Manager and Certified Wine Educator at Tassel Ridge Winery will teach the class. Learn about the classic wine varieites, tasting techniques and regional wine classifications. ... (more)Steve will often refer to The Wine Bible by Karen McNeil. Limited to just 25 lucky people, you'll need to call Book Vault (641-676-1777) to make your reservations early! Cost is $10.

Wine 101 is an introduction to the basic and most important building blocks of wine education and knowledge. Steve Richardson, Vineyard Manager and Certified Wine Educator at Tassel Ridge Winery will teach the class. Learn about the classic wine varieties, tasting techniques and regional wine classifications. ... (more)Steve will often refer to The Wine Bible by Karen McNeil. Limited to just 25 lucky people, you'll need to call Book Vault (641-676-1777) to make your reservations early! Cost is $10.

A very interesting read this month: The Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian. What happens when an elderly couple with health problems (including one with dementia) take off in a camper on a cross-country trip? hang on for the adventures!

Larry Baker, whose first novel, Flamingo Rising, was one of the funniest book I read the year it was published, is finally back with his newly-published novel, A Good Man. Harry Ducharme (from Flamingo)is now an adult, a down-and-out radio broadcaster in Florida when, during a hurricane, he is notified ... (more)that a "New Child of God" is to arrive soon. True? A good man is always hard to find, but Harry Ducharme finally succeeds. As usual, wine, tea, and snacks will be served. Don't miss Larry Baker!

The club will continue cooking from Jacques Pepein More Fast Food My Way. The book is filled with new recipes that are easy to prepare but elegant enough for company.

this month it's Rome:The Olympics That Changed the World by David Maraniss. Pulitzer Prize winning author Maraniss chronicles the triumphs, tragedies, and